An Escapade of Misadventures in Eleuthera

Some days it seems adventure and misadventure are so tangled together, they’re one in the same. Or at least that one leads to the other. We never know which one we’ll encounter but I find it’s the misadventures that usually make the day most exciting and memorable.

We’ve been gifted a car for the day and we still have much of the island that needs to be explored. Eleuthera is a skinny, 110 mile long island in the Bahamas. Much of it is rolling beaches and coral reefs but there’s a few draws inland we’re told are not to be missed.

What a trip! I love the irony of switching from an RV to a sailboat and yet we still manage to get a flat tire within the first year. Another big thanks to Dave for the car and the local insights. We’re super sad we couldn’t deliver on the drone footage request. ;( On the upside, we now have the perfect excuse to buy that new waterproof drone we’ve been dreaming of!

Hatchet Bay Cave

We’re learning that the Bahamas is littered with caves both underwater and above. I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised, the islands are nothing more than a series of rocks (mostly limestone) surrounded by water. A naturally perfect setting for cave creation!

As of now, Hatchet Bay Cave is the most extensive cave on Eleuthera. It’s said to be at least three levels and extend 1100 feet underground. Now, I am no cave expert by any stretch but we have visited enough to know formations are fragile and growing/living things. Touching them with bare skin is a no no but the abundance of spray paint points out just how oblivious and careless some people are. Sad, but it’s the reality of what happens when natural treasures aren’t protected.

If you plan to go see them for yourself, I suggest bringing a flashlight, a headlamp and for good measure a pair of gloves. Plan on spending a couple hours here, especially if you want to capture some neat photos. Here are the GPS Coordinates:N 25° 21′ 59.9”, W 76° 31′ 12.8”

Eleuthera Island Farm

Eleuthera was once a bustling agricultural scene and producing pineapples like nobody’s business. I am not sure what exactly caused that business to bust (rumors point to the USA and Hawaii) but it seems a shame. There is something about these islands that produce green leafy things that would satisfy the dinosaurs. Thick, hearty and bold is how I would describe everything from the arugula to the kale. Farm stands have been hard to come by but, when we find them, they are incredible! Eleuthera Island Farm does show up on google maps and is right off the queens highway.

Lighthouse Beach

A lovely remote beach that despite the name, has no lighthouse. I would suggest visiting during the day as sunset produced the most ravaged and intense no-see-ums we’ve experienced in the Bahamas. If you make it there and capture some drone footage, feel free to show us what we missed out on.

Rental Cars In The Bahamas

The islands are small and don’t house big corporate operations like Enterprise or Hertz. These are individual entrepreneurs and from our experience, prices are high ($50-$100 a day) and the cars could be in any type of condition (beat up, bald tires, bent rims, brand new, who knows). But, with roads like these, I can only imagine how hard and expensive it is to keep a car in decent condition. That said, it’s amazing how much you can see, do and experience in a day with a car…road side assistance and all.

Sailing Report

Dates: February 3-6, 2017Anchorages: We dropped the hook near CocoDiMama and Alabaster Bluff.Cell & WiFi: Our BTC signal was decent but better withour boosteron. We were also able to pick up nearby WiFi using our WifiRanger.

Thanks for joining us on this adventure of misadventures in Eleuthera! If you enjoy what we do and want to help us keep the videos and posts flowing, check out our Say Thankspage. It lists out some ways you can show us some digital love and most won’t cost you a penny.

Hello there! I honestly don’t know what to say, so I am going to tell you a bunch of random facts instead. I'm a fish eating vegetarian who hates spiders and loves snakes. I almost never took vacations growing up. I wanted to be Pippi Longstocking (still do). I misspell about every other word I write and still struggle with grammar. I love splurging on a good high tea (which is really hard to find these days). And whatever you do, don’t tell me I can’t do something, because then I'll HAVE to do it!

Sharon Perkins

I have really enjoyed all your videos. You guys are so much fun to watch and give so much info. We hope to sell our house, downsize and become mobile, we have a motorhome, and are retired. Be safe, love you guys!

Deborah Kerr

That lunch on the beach looked really yummy! You are an inspiration for healthier eating! That farmers market was an interesting stop. Never even knew there were little crabs that could climb a wall like that. Those roads make me appreciate even Ohio roads with potholes!! Cave Adventure for sure!! Did it feel funny driving a car??

Rob

Bob Sprengel

Curious Minion

Some of them may not have been repaired following Hurricane Matthew devastation in 2016, but the main reason is that the Bahamas is not a country of wealth and privilege in the sense that the U.S. is. There are many places in the world that don’t have the standard of living that U.S. citizens take for granted.

Laura Ruiz-Miner

Ok… I’ll admit it, I was holding my breath as you went not only into the cave, but “DOWN THE LADDER”. And your so right; some people are just clueless as to the importance of maintaining natures beauties. Best wishes always and safe travels. PS: Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. You’ve inspired us to begin our adventures this upcoming year (2018) via RV. Can’t wait!! Woohoo!!

Marsha

I just finished this last video & I was so nervous. The cave, the narrow roads, the flat tire, paddling back to your boat in the dark….. I love your videos, but even when I was younger I was never very adventurous. I have way too many “what if’s”. I guess I’ll just live thru you guys vicariously.❤

Sharon & Dave

Thanks for sharing once again! We just want you guys to know that we love your positivity and great sense of humor. Always a joy to look forward to “Sunday Funday”. At my house it’s “Cheeto Cheat Day”?

Curious Minion

Jason

I would like to know why an attempt was made in the 2012 video to cover as many basement doors and slide seams as possible (with the tape that was available) but in the 2015 video, I didn’t see any. My basement and rear bathroom got a lot of dirt in it driving to Alaska, as well as the damage you get doing that drive. I’m just wondering if by 2015 the tape wasn’t necessary. Will leaving the slides in be better?

Jen and Carey Fordyce

You guys do such a great job, so easy to watch, we both love it when an email arrives to say we have a video to watch. So sad about the drone, such awesome footage from the air, what a day, you did well with the paddle, especially back in the dark. Very cute dance at the end too!! Keep up the good work.

John Archer

Nancy Fernandez

What a day that was but something good did come out of it, you made it back safe. That really did look scary with those packs on though. Always enjoy the videos and you two always make the best of not so good situations. Happy Sailing!

John Schretlen

Not many people have explored where you did on this video. I’ll bet you are the very first to do it partially on a SUP. Thanks for bringing us along. I’d like to know your camera settings in the caves – some very nice shots. Take care, John P.S. What Mike said.

Richard Skaff, Executive Director, Designing Accessible Communities

Mike

Hey you two, another great video. I’m assuming that you didn’t take the dingy when you went ashore because you were worried about theft. So the paddleboard was a good choice. But…here’s my issue. Paddling at night, by yourselves, on an inflatable, in rain jackets, with a pack on your back…….do you see where I’m going with this? Please take your life jackets with you!!! Inflatables sink and you cannot (and I speak from 32 years experience as a firefighter) swim in a rain coat. We won’t go into specifics but trust me when I say I have responded to those exact calls. I look forward to your next video so take care and stay safe….??‍?

Terry Apple

So glad you included having to inflate the paddle board at the end. Had forgotten that was how you got there in the first place and then laughed out loud (with you, not at you) when I saw what else you had to go through. Nice touch.

Curious Minion

Jackie Roisler

Thought of ya’ll this morning when I watched the Sunday Morning Show with Jane Pauly (sp?). At the end of every show a “nature segment” is shown. I don’t know how someone summits footage but I feel you two would awesome in this area.

George

I’m sure you are getting tired of the rave reviews! How could anyone have any other type of comment though? You film, edit and talk as though we were there. And your concern for us is palpable, appreciated and comes through loud and clear. I am so proud to be a patron!